Chapter Sixty-Five: Devourer Worms

Lengtian withdrew his fist and lashed out with a flying kick that struck the Celestial Slaughter Leopard squarely on the head. The beast, still howling in pain, let out a miserable shriek as it was sent hurtling several meters away. Its eyes rolled back and it fainted dead away, its hind legs twitching uncontrollably.

“Boss, don’t kill it! Otherwise, what a waste!” Judah, drooling at the mouth, stared hungrily at the unconscious Celestial Slaughter Leopard, trying to stop Lengtian from finishing it off.

Exhaling a heavy breath, Lengtian lowered his raised right leg and turned to regard Judah’s pitiful gaze with a laugh. “If you want something to devour, go find it outside—this one is off limits.” He pointed at the Celestial Slaughter Leopard to remind Judah.

Judah’s eager expression instantly crumpled, and he muttered to himself, “You got your fun beating it up, but won’t even let me eat it!”

Lengtian ignored Judah’s complaints, waved his hand, and led him out of the Purgatory, reappearing within the Bear Demon’s cave.

Judah tactfully faded into the void, concealing Lengtian’s presence.

Lengtian had no intention of telling the Fox Sisters about having subdued the Celestial Slaughter Leopard, for he had other plans in mind. He wanted to preserve its life and consult Zhuangzhuang about what should be done with it. From Judah’s account, he learned that the Celestial Slaughter Leopard and the Phantom Spirit Heavenly Fox clans had once enjoyed harmonious relations. For reasons unknown, though, the two races had been locked in bloody conflict for countless years.

Now, knowing the origins of both the Fox Sisters and the Celestial Slaughter Leopard, Lengtian was inwardly delighted. To have in his grasp the descendants of two ancient supreme beings at the Heavenly Human Realm—how could he not be fond of them by association? Though he had severed the leopard’s lifeline, he could not bring himself to end its life, choosing instead to wait for Zhuangzhuang’s opinion.

Stepping out of the cave, Lengtian faced the boundless expanse of the grasslands, momentarily at a loss as to which direction to take. In the end, he chose to follow in the direction where Du Qingfeng had fled.

Du Qingfeng’s Spatial Evasion Technique was indeed a peerless skill of ages past, but his cultivation was lacking. In the presence of Judah, the Formless Shadow Demon who could dissolve into emptiness itself, it was little more than showing off.

After two days of travel, Lengtian had yet to cross the grasslands. Instead, an incident halted his advance.

Across the grasslands lay a field strewn with bleached bones—human and beast alike—scattered among the tangled grass. The passing of countless years had fused some of the skeletons with the very earth.

Yet, in the center of this boneyard stood a high tower, honeycomb-like in structure, built entirely of crimson clay. Its surface was riddled with skull-sized holes, their black depths radiating an air of mystery.

Beneath the tower, several powerful humans were locked in fierce combat. Among them were two stewards from Barbarian Wilderness City: Tyrannosaurus and Zhuang Jinlian.

There were seven combatants in total, but Tyrannosaurus and Zhuang Jinlian were not on the same side. Tyrannosaurus, fighting alone, was beset by two formidable opponents, while Zhuang Jinlian, allied with a stranger, faced off against three others, each displaying their own skills.

Hovering above the tower, Lengtian recognized only the two stewards from Barbarian Wilderness City; the other five were unfamiliar, not among those who had entered earlier.

Noting the techniques employed by the five strangers and the various hues of their protective astral energy, Lengtian discerned the aura of the Five Elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—emanating strongly from each of them.

“How interesting. Their astral energy is actually imbued with elemental power. These five must be remarkable figures. For martial artists, from the moment they begin training, they can only absorb the most basic vital energy of the world, which nourishes all things, to temper themselves.

“But those primal elements that compose heaven and earth cannot be absorbed or controlled by martial artists below the Mortal Transcendence stage. Elemental energy is far more potent and unstable than ordinary vital energy, and without the transformation of true qi into spirit essence, a martial artist’s body cannot withstand the invasion of elemental force.

“For those who have transformed their internal energy and entered the Profound Realm, direct absorption of elemental power remains impossible. However, it can be used to enhance their own abilities, most notably seen in their astral defenses.

“Just like these fighters whose astral energy has been reinforced by the Five Elements, their defenses are several times stronger than ordinary Profound Realm experts, greatly increasing their survivability in battle.

“And then there are those martial artists whose essence has been tempered with the baleful auras of heaven and earth. Their true essence, compared to ordinary martial artists, is unmatched in both power and destructive capability.

“From their fight, it’s clear: Tyrannosaurus’ two opponents, though inferior in cultivation, are nearly untouchable due to their formidable defenses.

“Still, Tyrannosaurus’ own astral energy is formidable. He trains in the Great Demon True Qi; upon reaching the Profound Realm, his astral energy, transformed from demonic essence, is unrivaled. This transformation is known among demon cultivators as the Heavenly Demon Shield.

“The first demon cultivator, venerated by all who walk this path, was the Supreme Heavenly Demon—source of all demonic arts. Thus, demon cultivators call this first transformation upon reaching true power the Heavenly Demon Shield, believing that, in the name of the Heavenly Demon, it can resist all physical attacks.

“Of course, this is somewhat exaggerated, but it reflects their faith and is a symbol of inherited will and the glory of the Heavenly Demon.”

With a thunderous roar, Tyrannosaurus’ massive fist, shrouded in inky demon astral energy, crashed into the chest of an opponent wreathed in blue astral light.

A resounding boom echoed as azure energy collided with black, sending up a dazzling spray of sparks. Neither side could gain the upper hand, but the man struck by Tyrannosaurus’ overwhelming blow staggered back more than ten steps before managing to steady himself, his expression shifting.

Though Tyrannosaurus had forced his opponent back, he himself was struck from behind by a palm from another foe, this one cloaked in earthen yellow astral energy. The force sent his tall frame stumbling forward, blood surging within him, a flush rising to his face.

With a furious bellow, his demonic astral shield surged outward, the recoil sending his attacker reeling. Gritting his teeth, he whirled around, his now jet-black fist bare of astral energy, and swung at the off-balance adversary. The massive fist thundered through the air, closing the distance in a flash.

Despite the gap between them, the sheer force of the blow caused the defender’s astral shield to flicker violently. Sensing the tremendous power behind the punch, the man’s face changed dramatically.

A demonic howl burst from Tyrannosaurus’ lips as a shadowy black image detached from his fist, streaking forward to strike the opponent’s protective aura.

The earthen yellow shield exploded under the impact, and the shadow, undispersed, pierced through, slamming into the man’s chest.

His shield shattered, the once-calm fighter’s expression turned to panic. In desperation, he crossed his astral-clad arms before his chest, eyes wide as he pushed outward with all his strength.

There was a muffled boom like thunder as the black shadow collided with his arms, detonating in a violent burst of energy that blasted his arms apart, staining his chest with a spray of fresh blood.

With a pitiful scream, the man was sent flying backward.

“Fifth Brother!” The previously beaten fighter cried out in alarm, worried for his grievously wounded companion.

Tyrannosaurus, having unleashed such a devastating attack, looked visibly drained. His face paled as he caught his breath.

“How dare you harm my brother! Today you die!” the water-blue astral warrior roared, leaping at Tyrannosaurus, his fingers joined in a blade, slashing viciously at his head.

A four-foot blade of solidified energy, if it struck true, would cleave even Tyrannosaurus in two, regardless of his monstrous defenses.

At that moment, Tyrannosaurus, kneeling on one leg and weakened, could only feel anxious—dodging was impossible. With a shout, his protective aura surged upward by three inches, bracing to take the blow head on.

“It’s over. Looks like the big guy’s about to go down,” Judah said regretfully, licking his lips.

Lengtian shot Judah a glance but made no comment. His tri-colored aura flared and he vanished into the void, reappearing instantly above Tyrannosaurus’ head. The Supreme Tyrant Fist thundered forth.

The four-foot blade of energy shattered instantly. Behind Lengtian, a hundred-foot phantom peak materialized, suppressing the enemy’s movements. The punch lost none of its momentum; the elemental-imbued defense was as fragile as paper, obliterated in a heartbeat.

Without pause, Lengtian followed with a fierce upward kick to the man’s jaw. With a sickening crack, a jet of blood spurted over a meter high as a head soared into the sky.

“Third Brother!”

“Third Brother!”

The remaining four fighters cried out in horror, eyes bloodshot with rage, thirsting to tear Lengtian apart.

Blood splattered on Tyrannosaurus’ demon shield, sizzling as it hit, finally snapping him out of his daze as he realized he’d been saved.

Seeing their comrade slain, the remaining four abandoned their fight with Zhuang Jinlian and her ally, instead lunging to surround Lengtian.

But at that moment, a droning filled the sky, as if countless wings beat in unison. A thick, cloying scent of blood instantly pervaded the air.

The sky darkened. All those locked in battle froze, looking up in shock—and their faces turned ashen.

Countless golden beetles, wings buzzing, poured from the black holes of the high tower, blanketing the heavens in the blink of an eye.

“Boss, run! Why are there so many Devouring Yuan Insects here?” Judah’s face turned grave at the sight of the golden beetles.

Martial Dao Apex, Chapter 65: Devouring Yuan Insects—completed.